During a Mar. 6 panel discussion, professor Sami Schalk of the University of Wisconsin-Madison gave an account of an epiphany she had while researching disability studies. Before conducting this research, she did not think of herself as disabled. After, however, Schalk realized “there was a part of [her] that knew” she had a disability, similar to her self-realization that she was queer.

Schalk, besides being a professor of Gender & Women’s Studies, describes herself as “polyamorous and a pleasure activist.” She has also “twerked” with Lizzo.

Schalk spoke with Vilissa Thompson, a social worker, on the CUNY Graduate Center YouTube channel about Schalk’s research and book titled “Black Disability Politics.”